MORE than 1,000 additional pregnant mothers and children under five years of age have registered under the Child Nutrition and Social Protection (CNSP) Project in Madang District.
The two -week registration exercise, led by Component Management Unit 2 (CMU2) under the Department for Community Development and Religion (DFCDR), is expected to conclude this weekend.
However, the ongoing registration will continue through the Project Support and Coordination (PSPC) arrangements.
Registered beneficiaries have opened MiBank accounts to receive cash grants directly, helping mothers meet the nutritional and healthcare needs of their children and unborn babies.
Ward 21 Councillor for Ambenob Local Level Government (LLG), Mr. Libok Sawan, described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind opportunity for mothers in his district to receive financial assistance directly into their accounts.
Mr. Sawan said mothers in remote communities faced significant challenges due to poor road conditions and a lack of nearby health facilities, making it difficult to access antenatal care, give birth safely and take sick children to clinics.
“As a councillor, on behalf of my people, I want to thank this project and request our government to continue funding it when it ends,” he said.
Lina Manes, a mother of three whose youngest child is three months old, also expressed gratitude for the project’s rollout in her community.
“I heard about this project from mothers in other districts, but for it to actually happen in my community, I’m really blessed to be one of the beneficiaries now,” she said.
Ms. Manes said the assistance would be helpful in supporting her children’s needs and improving their wellbeing.
Bou Village Court Magistrate Mr. Kem Yal said mothers in remote villages continued to face difficulties because of geographical isolation and limited access to nearby health facilities, particularly during childbirth and when their children became sick.
“The rollout of this CNSP Project will greatly help mothers, children and the family as a whole,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the 79 Community Development Workers (CDWs) in Madang District, Mr. Solomon Saw said he was among the workers who began implementing the project in Wards 1 and 6 in 2024.
Mr. Saw explained that the project had also strengthened the skills and employment opportunities of community workers, many of whom had not completed formal education.
He said the workers had gained practical experience using tablets and laptops, accessing online systems and registering beneficiaries digitally.
Mr. Saw thanked the project for providing employment opportunities that enabled community workers to earn an income and support their own families.
An existing beneficiary, Ms. Elma Banabas, said she registered for the programme in June 2023 when her son was two months old.
She explained that she used the cash grants to buy food for her son and take him to the clinic when he became sick.
“I found it very helpful because I left my husband when the baby was a few months old. The funds I receive through my MiBank account help me and my baby sustain our living,” Ms. Banabas said.
Meanwhile, Ward 21 Recorder for Efu Village, Mr. Johnathan Morris, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant opportunity for pregnant mothers and mothers with children under five to receive financial support directly through their accounts.
“As a leader for this community, I’m happy with this project, and I appeal to our government to extend it,” he said.
The CNSP Project aims to help families access nutritious food and support the health and wellbeing of mothers and young children, contributing to improved child nutrition and family welfare.
Registration is continuing in Simbu, East New Britain, Madang and Western provinces, with support from contracted implementing partners World Vision and Save the Children.